kandc_au

In a word NO. But what I did was make my own rocks by hand and place them as a dry stone wall is done. I was quite chuffed with the outcome. It can seem slow and tedious but in the end, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Khris Edited atrocious spelling.

That's why they are taking so long........trying to find the other end! Khris

Larry, How do you think the bullnose track sleepers spacings are in comparison to say C&L? Or are they still the standard Peco spacings? I just find it hard to tell in the pics. Khris

And THAT is what makes it a hobby Clive. Even if it is commercially available having a go is the key to the enjoyment or we wouldn't be doing it. Khris

Would it not be better to define what is cheque book modelling in the first instance? To me it is a layout that is nearly all built for you by someone else or more than one person. Nearly being a very loose term. Where you the owner, has very very little to no Physical input of the finished product. It is a basic fact that we all buy product whether it be new/second hand stock, buildings, having an item built as we don't have the confidence/skills to build it ourselves, painting as already mentioned. Just my basic thoughts anyway. Khris

Alan, There were 3 types in Victoria. The 2 smaller types were as you have described and only the largest was with the motor in the centre! Khris

Frankly. if a model is being made new , in this day and age I DO expect it to be accurate. Gone are the days of near enough is good enough. A model made nowadays that is 1 or 2 ft to long isn't good enough. As for magazines, one does expect their reviews to be accurate to what is presented for review. If the magazine doesn't have someone on staff to accurately review the product than it should be farmed out to someone who is knowledgeable to review. Khris

As an addendum: https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=passenger&section=rollingstock&subs=railmotors&rmtype=280%20hp%20Walker

Daylesford has three types of railmotors that I know of but there could be more. They have the large Walker which last I saw was being painted, they have the DRC, which NSW had a few of and they have the Derm. Of the Walkers there were 3 types, 102 HP, 153HP and the big one 250HP (I think). The 2 small walkers look similar, with the motor at one end and pivoted just behind that, the 250 has the motor in the centre. Given they were built as a VERY short term fill in they lasted a Looong time. Hope that is of help.

Correct me if I am wrong but wasn't there an issue with his emails????? It was to the point that he himself said to RING him before sending monies etc etc!!!! Khris

Don't quite agree with the 2 options you point out. I see 3. 1) Doesn't run well 2) Does run well 3) Those using DCC With what everyone has written here they are the 3 options I have read about. I am not DCC literate, but from what I have read, a lot are still not sure either what decoders to use or settings. From what I understand of DCC users should be setting up on a test track and once happy then using on the layout. Issues 1 and 2 appear to be horses for courses, gooduns and baduns. given that this thread is dedicated to this model I am not surprised that area few mentioned going back.....but does that really mean they are actually all problematic? From everything I had read here I cancelled my order. On reflection I have reordered plus a Gaugemaster controller so that I can use it on my layout as my controllers are all feedback. With luck it will be winging it's way downunder in the next couple of days.

The Gaugemaster W I believe is the one to get.

This thread is really going off on a strange tangent. What has the current C&L situation got to do with Coopercraft???? It has been sold to another person who has divested themselves of part of C&L products, and has chosen not to have a storefront. Doesn't mean it is any less viable. Coopercraft has/had/I have no idea now, a broken moulding machine, supposedly. Still leaves the issue of why castings are no longer available. Were they done by someone else, or did he do them himself? From what has been reported you can still get etches or some at least. Are they sourced outside?

I would normally agree with those who are saying it is odd that people are still paying monies. One problem with that argument is if someone has googled and NOT gone straight to the home page where he does have a notice in red. To me it is a shame that he hasn't either bothered or felt comfortable talking to someone about his woes, given that his product is still wanted. It may have helped him....it may not have. I hope Andy Y's idea helps sort issues to a degree. Overall, it is a shame really. Khris

A question for those who have bought one or more loco's that run on DC. What controller are you using please? Make etc. I only have feedback controllers and will need to purchase a new one if I am to buy one. Khris

Wheatley, Not a very fair summation on your part. A lot have put up opinions on how they viewed the model and faults found, and very rightly so. The MAJORITY that did so did so in a manner than was quite polite. BUT, some continually repeated themselves like a broken records with faults, that you almost felt guilty for even considering it as a purchase! It is a good thing to have faults pointed out. That way members can make an informed decision off their own bat without getting the feeling they are guilty of some crime for purchasing said item. Personally I would find a model out by 1ft to be a proverbial pain, BUT that does not mean anyone else should. Now it is fine to point that out and others are informed of a disrepency, and they can make a choice as to whether to purchase or not. So how about we all consider fair and reasonable reviews without crucifying models, particularly before we even see them in the flesh! Khris

Same here! Khris

At the end of the day Howard, it depends on how much you want to finish the coaches and how accurately detailed you want them. Some are quite happy with them straight out of the box, and others want them as highly detailed as possible. At the end of the day it's a hobby to enjoy oneself with. If you get enjoyment out of cutting and shutting that's great. If you get enjoyment out of building coaches from Brass and/or whitemetal that is great to! Just enjoy it! Khris

Ian, What I responded to was Ian's (Tophatharry's) comment of 2 autocoaches and a syphon as being a max load for for the real thing. Now if I remember correctly wasn't there footage of one of the samples running about with a few autotrailers quite happily? Whether we as modeller's would run one with 4 autotrailers is another thing, but I would be quite doubtful it would burn out the loco! Khris

I'd have thought a bit more than that! They could handle 4 coaches at least.....2 front 2 back. Then there was the good trains they hauled , although small. They were a surprisingly versatile loco! Khris

Apologies Izzy, but I haven't made myself clear. There was reference to the fact that split chassis had an inherent problem. OR, have I misread it? Khris

I gather, that that is assuming the re-released one still has rubber drivers. Back to the split chassis for a moment if I may. I don't understand the issue of split chassis with coupled rods issue. Can someone elaborate more please? From memory of what I have read in other threads there are members who make loco's with split chassis. Do they still have this issue, or is it just commercial ones? Khris

Thame also had one. A small one, which I have yet to chase up details of.

Could not agree more John. Khris

I'll have to remember to try it next time. Spray the mahogany Use Tamiya masking tape Cut it in situ Spray the rest with cream Mask off the cream then spray the brown. When it is time to remove the window sections you should be able to push out from the inside. Khris